Portable electric heating mat for use by an animal

ABSTRACT

An electric heating mat may include an outer sleeve having an interior, and an access end with an opening to the interior. The access end may be folded upon itself into a closed condition, and unfolded into an opened condition. When the access end is closed, the interior of the outer sleeve may provide a sealed enclosure. The sealed enclosure may accommodate and protect internal components, such as heating elements, a power source, and associated controls. The heating elements, associated wiring, and an insulation layer may be provided in an inner sleeve, which may be insertable into the outer sleeve as a unit. When the access end is opened, the opening provides access to the internal components. Such access allows the power source to be turned on to supply power to the heating elements.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/792,664 filed Feb. 17, 2020, which claimspriority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/924,453 filed on Oct. 22, 2019, the entire contents of both of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate in general to electric heating pads, and morespecifically, to an electric heating pad that is portable and can beused as a mat for an animal.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Electric heating pads have been employed as mats for humans, canines,and other animals for many years. Conventional mats that utilizeelectric heating elements are available in many forms. The heatingelements may receive power through a power cord that requires connectionto an AC power outlet. The heating elements may also receive power froma portable power source such as a battery pack.

Although conventional electric heating mats are generally thought toprovide acceptable performance, they are not without shortcomings. Theshortcomings may include the components of the mat being susceptible tocontamination and damage if the mat is employed in harsh environments.By way of example only, a harsh environment may be experienced during awaterfowl hunt. It is common to use a dog as a retriever to huntwaterfowl. The dog may enter and exit the water on numerous occasions toretrieve downed birds. Between retrieves, the dog may stay in a duckblind or boat away from view of passing waterfowl.

If a conventional electric heating mat were employed to heat the dog(and/or the hunter), liquids and/or debris may penetrate into theinterior of the mat and contaminate insulation layers, the heatingelements, and/or other internal components. Also, some components may besituated on the outside of the mat itself. Such components may bedamaged by impacts, dirt, dust, sand, moisture, or liquids, for example,rain, spills, splashes, etc. This is especially the case when theexternal components are electrical in nature, e.g., sensors, switches,buttons, batteries, wiring, controls, etc.

Thus, a need exists for a more robust and rugged portable electricheating mat in which the components can be protected and isolated fromthe external environment of the mat.

SUMMARY

According to a non-limiting embodiment, an electric heating mat mayinclude an outer sleeve having an interior, and an access end with anopening to the interior. A heating element may be provided in theinterior of the outer sleeve. A power source may be provided in theinterior of the outer sleeve. The power source may be electricallyconnected to the heating element. The access end may provide areversible closure to the interior of the outer sleeve.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, an electric heating matkit may include an outer sleeve having an interior, and an access endwith an opening to the interior. A heating element may be removablyinsertable into the interior of the outer sleeve. A power source may beremovably insertable into the interior of the outer sleeve. The powersource may be electrically connectable to the heating element. Theaccess end may provide a reversible closure to the interior of the outersleeve.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a method may be providedfor using an electric heating mat that may have an outer sleeve with anaccess end that provides a reversible closure to an interior of theouter sleeve. The interior of the outer sleeve may accommodate a heatingelement, a battery pack, and a controller. The method may involveunfolding the access end to an opened condition to expose an opening tothe interior of the outer sleeve. The controller may be removed from theinterior of the outer sleeve by passing the controller through theopening. The controller may be operated to power the battery pack tosupply power to the heating element. The controller may be returned tothe interior of the outer sleeve by passing the controller through theopening. The access end may be folded to a closed condition, such thatthe opening is flattened and situated between folds of the access end.

The above and other features, including various and novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts will be more particularlydescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will beunderstood that the details of the example embodiments are shown by wayof illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. Theprinciples and features of this invention may be employed in varied andnumerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments will become more fully understood from thedetailed description below and the accompanying drawings, wherein likeelements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given byway of illustration only and thus are not limiting of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is a front, top, and right side perspective view of an electricheating mat according to a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 2 is another front, top, and right side perspective view of theelectric heating mat in an opened condition.

FIGS. 3-5 are partial rear, bottom and right side perspective viewsshowing sequential manipulation of an outer sleeve.

FIG. 6 is front, top, and right side perspective view of internalcomponents.

FIG. 7 is a front and top perspective view of the contents of an innersleeve.

FIG. 8 is front view of an electric heating mat according to anothernon-limiting embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure is directed to a portable electric heating mat thatincludes a heating element coupled to a power source, such as a batterypack. Numerous and varied heating elements and battery packs are wellknown in this art, and the invention is not limited to any particulartype of heating element or battery pack (or other power source).

Throughout this disclosure, terms relating to spatial directions (e.g.,upper, top, lower, bottom, front, forward, rear, rearward, proximal,distal, etc.) are used for convenience in describing features orportions thereof, as shown in the figures. These terms do not, however,require that the disclosed structure be maintained in any particularorientation.

In this disclosure, the term “sealed enclosure” means that the enclosureis protected against the intrusion of matter from the surroundingenvironment. The level of protection may vary from one embodiment to thenext. For example, the degree of protection may include protectionagainst the intrusion of water or other liquid that splashes against theoutside of the mat from any direction (like the splashing that wouldoccur if a drink were spilled on the mat, if the mat were left out inthe rain, if the mat were held under running water, or if the mat weredropped in a pool of water, for example). In alternative embodiments,more protection may be provided. For example, the mat may provide asealed enclosure that is waterproof under pressure. Here, the enclosurecan be protected against the intrusion of water or other liquid evenwhen the mat is completely submerged in water or other liquid.

The Outer Sleeve:

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mat 10 includes an outer sleeve 2having a generally rectangular shape, but the invention is not limitedto any shape or size. The sleeve 2 is provided with attachment points inthe form of grommets 1 that can be used to secure the mat 10 in placeupon a supporting surface (e.g., a duck blind or boat). It will beappreciated that numerous and varied attachment points that are wellknown in this art can be suitably implemented. It will also beappreciated that the number and location of the attachment points can bevaried.

The outer sleeve 2 can be formed by an upper material sheet 4 and alower material sheet 6 that are joined together along their peripheraledges, i.e., along three peripheral edges in this non-limitingembodiment. The material sheets 4, 6 can be joined together usingstitching, adhesives, rivets, welds, or any other mechanism thatmechanically links the two material sheets 4, 6 together. A combinationof mechanical linkages may be implemented between the material sheets 4,6 to improve structural reliability and sealing effectiveness. Sealantsand/or gaskets can also be suitably implemented at the connectionsbetween the material sheets 4, 6. In the illustrated embodiment, twomaterial sheets are attached together to form the outer sleeve 2. Itwill be appreciated that more or less two material sheets may besuitably implemented. For example, a single sheet may be folded uponitself and peripheral edges joined together to form the outer sleeve.

The material sheets 4, 6 can be fabricated from durable and flexiblematerials, which are well known in this art. In the illustratedembodiment, and by way of example only, the material sheets 4, 6 may befabricated from 1000 denier coated Cordura® nylon fabric. The coating(e.g., urethane), which improves water resistance, may be situated onthe inside of the sleeve 2 to improve the comfort of the resting animal.Alternative material sheets may be suitably implemented, includingtextiles, fabrics, and cloths. Furthermore, each material sheet 4, 6 mayinclude multiple layers of materials assembled together and used incombination. Conventional coatings may also be applied to the materialsheets 4, 6 to improve comfort for the animal, achieve thermalcharacteristics, and/or provide other characteristics to the mat.

The outer sleeve 2 has an access end 12 with an opening 14 (FIG. 2 ).The access end 12 can be manipulated back and forth between a closedcondition and an opened condition to provide a reversible closure to aninterior of the outer sleeve 2. As shown in FIG. 2 , the opening 14 isthe only opening provided to the interior of the outer sleeve 2.

FIG. 1 illustrates the access end 12 in a closed condition. Here, theaccess end 12 may be folded upon itself three times and held in thefolded condition by a fastener (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The opening 14 isflattened and situated between the folds of the access end 12. When theaccess end 12 is closed, the outer sleeve 2 provides a sealed enclosurethat accommodates and protects internal components from the surroundingenvironment.

FIG. 2 illustrates the access end 12 in an opened condition. Here, theaccess end 12 is unfolded and the opening 14 is available for gainingaccess to the components in the interior of the outer sleeve 2. In thisnon-limiting embodiment, the fastener 16 is a hook-and-loop fastener,such as those sold under the name Velcro®. One portion of the fastener16 (e.g., the loop component 16 b) is attached to the upper materialsheet 4. The other portion of the fastener 16 (e.g., the hook component16 a), which is not shown in FIG. 2 , is attached to the lower materialsheet 6.

FIGS. 3-5 sequentially illustrate the access end 12 being folded fromthe opened condition to the closed condition. In FIGS. 3-5 , the outersleeve 2 is situated such that the lower material sheet 6 and the hookcomponent 16 a of the fastener 16 face upward. Starting with FIG. 3 , adistal most portion of the access end 12 (including the opening 14) isfolded over onto the lower material sheet 6 in a folding direction(arrow 18). Then, as shown in FIG. 4 , the access end 12 is folded overagain onto the lower material sheet 6 in the folding direction (arrow18). Both the hook component 16 a and the loop component 16 b of thefastener 16 can be seen in FIG. 4 . Finally, as shown in FIG. 5 , theaccess end 12 is folder over a third time onto the lower material sheet6 in the folding direction (arrow 18). As a result of the third fold,the hook and the loop components 16 a, 16 b of the fastener 16 cab bepressed together to fasten the access end 12 in the closed condition. Togo back to the opened condition, the access end 12 can be pulled awayfrom the lower material sheet 6 to peel the hook and the loop components16 a, 16 b apart, thereby allowing the access end 12 to be unfolded andexposing the opening 14.

It will be appreciated that the hook and the loop components 16 a, 16 bare provided on opposite sides of the outer sleeve 2. Moreover, the hookand the loop components 16 a, 16 b are spaced apart from each other inthe folding direction (arrow 18 in FIG. 3 ) of the access end 12, sothat the two components 16 a, 16 b can interact with each other when theaccess end 12 is folded over upon itself. The hook and the loopcomponents 16 a, 16 b can be provided at alternative locations on theouter sleeve 2 to adjust the distance between the components 16 a, 16 bin the folding direction, such that the access end 12 can be folded overonto itself more or less than 3 times and fastened in the foldedcondition.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 16 is a hook-and-loopfastener. Such hook-and-loop fasters may be waterproof, as is well knownin this art, and this may improve sealing effectiveness when the accessend 12 is in the closed condition. Instead of a hook-and-loop fastener,numerous and varied alternative reversible fasteners may be suitablyimplemented. Such alternative fasteners, which are well known in thisart, may include buttons, snaps, straps, buckles, zippers, and clips,for example.

Internal Components:

The outer sleeve 2 may cover and protect internal components, such asthose shown in FIG. 6 . These components can be inserted into andremoved from the outer sleeve 2 via the opening 14 provided in theaccess end 12. In this non-limiting embodiment, the internal componentsmay include an inner sleeve 20 (which covers heating elements), abattery pack 50, a controller 40, and associated cabling 30.

The inner sleeve 20 may have a shape and size corresponding to the shapeand size of the outer sleeve 2. In this way, the inner sleeve 20 may fitclosely with interior surfaces of the outer sleeve 2 that define thesealed enclosure. But the inner sleeve 20 is not limited to any shape orsize. The inner sleeve 20 can be fabricated from numerous and variedflexible materials, which are well known in this art. Such materialsinclude but are not limited to textiles, fabrics, and cloths. The innersleeve 20 need not be water resistant or sealed closed as it can besituated in the sealed enclosure of the outer sleeve 2.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the inner sleeve 20 coversone or more heating elements, associated wiring, and insulation layers.A power cord 28 extends through an opening in the inner sleeve 20. Thepower cord 28 supplies power to the heating elements within the innersleeve 20. When the inner sleeve 20 is inserted into the outer sleeve 2,the power cord 28 may be situated toward the access end 12 of the outersleeve 2. The power cord 28 may be removably connected to a powersource, such as the battery pack 50, using a splitter cable 30.

The splitter cable 30 may have a first end 32 removably connectable tothe power cord 28, a second end 34 removably connectable to the batterypack 50, and a common end 36 connected to a push-button controller 40.The removable connections between the power cord 28, the splitter cable30, and the battery pack 50 can be provided by conventional electricalconnectors that are well known in this art. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the battery pack 50 and/or the controller 40 may be removably mountedon the exterior of the inner sleeve 20 via a pocket, straps, clips, orother conventional fasteners that are well known in this art.

The controller 40 may include push buttons that can be operated to turnthe battery pack 50 off and on, and select settings for power deliveryto the heating elements within the inner sleeve 20. Numerous and variedalternative controllers, which are well known in this art, can besuitably implements. Further, in some embodiments, the controller may beincorporated into the battery pack itself. Here, buttons or switches maybe provided on the housing of the battery pack. And the splitter cablemay be dispensed with in favor of a cable having two ends that can beremovably connectable to the battery pack and the power cord,respectively.

FIG. 7 illustrates components that may be provided in the interior ofthe inner sleeve 20, inclusive of heating elements 42, associated wiring29, and an insulation layer 48. In this non-limiting embodiment, twoheating elements 42 are provided on the insulation layer 48. Inalternative embodiment, more or less than two heating elements may besuitably implemented.

The insulation layer 48 is disposed on only one side of the heatingelements 42, i.e., the downward facing side of the heating elements 42.When the inner sleeve 20 is inserted into the outer sleeve 2, theinsulation layer 48 may be interposed between the heating elements 42and the lower material sheet 6 of the outer sleeve 2. At this location,the insulation layer 48 may push heat up to an animal resting on the mat10. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of insulation layers may bestacked, and the heating elements may be situated in the stack asdesired.

By way of example only, the insulation layer 48 may be fabricated from asilica aerogel material, such as those sold under the name Pyrogel® HPSby Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Numerous and varied insulation materials, whichare well known in this art, can be suitably implemented.

The heating elements 42 are conventional. By way of example only, eachheating element 42 may be an electric resistance wire 43 (or heaterwire) laid out in a serpentine fashion and fixed between a backing layer44 and a fixing layer 46 using adhesive, stitching, clips, tape, etc.The backing layer 44 and the fixing layer 46 may be fabricated fromconventional materials that are well known in this art. It will also beappreciated that the spacing, fill, and arrangement of the heater wire43 can be varied as needed. The heater wire 43 is electrically connectedto the power cord 28 via wiring 29 in a well-known and conventionalfashion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heating elements include a heaterwire, but the invention is not so limited. For example, alternativeembodiments may include heating elements that implement electricallyconductive sheet-like heaters, electrically conductive fabric heaters,electrically conductive paste heaters, foils, etc., which are well knownin this art.

Using the Mat:

The following description describes the use of the mat 10 during awaterfowl hunt, where a hunting dog may rest on the mat to be warmed.The mat 10 may of course be used in numerous alternative environments,and to warm other animals (besides a hunting dog).

At an initial set up, the inner sleeve 20 (and its contents includingthe heating elements 42, the associated wiring 29, and the insulationlayer 48), the power cord 28, the splitter cable 30, the controller 40,and the battery back 50 may be provided in the interior of the outersleeve 2. The access end 12 of the outer sleeve 2 may be folded andfastened in the closed condition so that the interior provides a sealedenclosure that accommodates and protects the internal components fromthe surrounding environment. During a waterfowl hunt, the mat 10 may beinadvertently dropped into a body of water. The outer sleeve 2 mayprevent water from entering the sealed enclosure, and this may allow themat 10 to float on the water until retrieved by the hunter.

To turn on the mat 10, the access end 12 can be pulled to release thehook-and-loop fastener, thereby allowing the access end 12 to beunfolded to the opened-condition and exposing the opening 14. The huntercan reach through the opening 14 and remove the controller 40 from theouter sleeve 2. The hunter may manipulate the controller to power on thebattery pack 50 and select the desired heat setting. The hunter thenreturns the controller 40 back into the outer sleeve 2, and closes andfastens the access end 12. The hunting dog can rest on and be warmed bythe mat 10. Water and other debris may fall from the hunting dog andonto the mat 10. Here again, the outer sleeve 2 may prevent the waterand debris from entering the sealed enclosure and contaminating theinternal components.

To turn off the mat 10, the hunter opens the access end 12 and removesthe controller 40 to power off the battery pack 50.

When the access end 12 is in the opened condition, the battery pack 50may be removed from the outer sleeve 2 for recharging. Here, the batterypack 50 may be disconnected from the splitter cable 30 and/or thesplitter cable 30 may be disconnected from the power cord 28.

The mat 10 offers modularity in that the access end 12 can be opened,and the internal components removed and separated from each other forreplacement and/or repair.

Alternative Embodiment with a Mesh Insert

An alternative, non-limiting embodiment may implement a mesh insert tofacilitate drainage of liquid away from a resting animal.

With reference to FIG. 8 , the mesh insert 100 may be fixed to the outersleeve 102. The mesh insert 100 may have a generally rectangular shape,but the invention is not limited in this regard. The mesh inert 100 mayallow passage of liquid from one side of the outer sleeve 102 to theother, and without entering into the interior of the outer sleeve 102.Here, the interior of the outer sleeve 102 may extend all the way aroundthe mesh insert 100. The material sheets of the outer sleeve 102 may bejoined together at the periphery of the mesh insert 100 (and fixing themesh insert in place) using stitching, adhesives, rivets, welds, or anyother mechanical linking mechanisms that are well known in this art.

As in the previous embodiments, the outer sleeve 102 has an access end112 that can be folded and fastened in a closed condition to provide asealed enclosure, and unfolded to an opened condition to expose anopening 114. A loop portion 116 b of the fastener is shown in FIG. 8 .When the access end 112 is opened, the inner sleeve 120 may be insertedinto (or removed from) the outer sleeve 102. As in the previousembodiments, a power cord 128 extends from the inner sleeve 120. Thepower cord 128 supplies power to heating elements (not shown) within theinner sleeve 120. The power cord 128 may also be removably connected toa power source (not shown).

The inner sleeve 120 is shaped and sized to fit closely with interiorsurfaces of the outer sleeve 102. By way of example only, the innersleeve 120 is “U” shaped to facilitate insertion into the outer sleeve102. Specifically, upon insertion into the outer sleeve 102, the innersleeve 120 may extend around three sides of the mesh insert 100. Theinner sleeve 120 may not extend around the end of the mesh insert 100that faces away from the access end 112 of the outer sleeve 102. Theinterior of this portion of the outer sleeve 102 may be filled withconventional insulation materials.

Although the foregoing description is directed to non-limitingembodiments of the present teachings, it is noted that other variationsand modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, andwhich may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thepresent teachings.

The foregoing detailed description of the various embodiments of thepresent teachings has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presentteachings to the precise embodiments disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Theembodiments were chosen and described to explain the principles of thepresent teachings and their practical application, thereby enablingothers skilled in the art to understand the present teachings forvarious embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of thepresent teachings be defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric heating mat comprising: an outersleeve having an interior, and an access end with an opening to theinterior; a heating element provided in the interior of the outersleeve; and a power source provided in the interior of the outer sleeve;wherein the access end provides a reversible closure to the interior ofthe outer sleeve; and wherein the opening in the access end is the onlyopening provided to the interior.
 2. The electric heating mat accordingto claim 1, further comprising controls for operating the power sourceto supply power to the heating element; wherein the controls areprovided in the interior of the outer sleeve.
 3. The electric heatingmat according to claim 1, wherein the access end is movable into (a) aclosed condition in which the interior is a sealed enclosure thataccommodates the heating element and the power source, and (b) an openedcondition in which the opening provides access to the interior of theouter sleeve.
 4. The electric heating mat according to claim 3, whereinthe access end is folded upon itself at least three times in the closedcondition.
 5. The electric heating mat according to claim 4, furthercomprising a fastener to hold the access end in the closed condition. 6.The electric heating mat according to claim 5, wherein the fastenerincludes a hook portion and a loop portion respectively provided onopposite facing sides of the access end.
 7. The electric heating mataccordingly to claim 1, wherein when the access end is in the closedcondition, the sealed enclosure is waterproof and the electric heatingmat is floatable in a body of water.
 8. The electric heating mataccording to claim 1, further comprising: an inner sleeve; and aninsulation layer provided in the inner sleeve; wherein the heatingelement is provided in the inner sleeve and positioned on top of theinsulation layer; and wherein the inner sleeve is removably insertedinto the outer sleeve, such that the insulation layer is interposedbetween the heating element and a lower material sheet of the outersleeve.
 9. The electric heating mat according to claim 1, wherein theheating element includes an electric resistance wire laid out in aserpentine fashion.
 10. The electric heating mat according to claim 1,wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery pack.
 11. An electricheating mat kit comprising: an outer sleeve having an interior, and anaccess end with an opening to the interior; a heating element removablyinsertable into the interior of the outer sleeve; and a power sourceremovably insertable into the interior of the outer sleeve; wherein theaccess end provides a reversible closure to the interior of the outersleeve; and wherein the opening in the access end is the only openingprovided to the interior.
 12. A method of using an electric heating mathaving an outer sleeve with an access end that provides a reversibleclosure to an interior of the outer sleeve, the interior of the outersleeve accommodating a heating element, a battery pack, and acontroller, the method comprising: unfolding the access end to an openedcondition to expose an opening to the interior of the outer sleeve;wherein only a single opening is provided to the interior of the outersleeve; removing the controller from the interior of the outer sleeve bypassing the controller through the opening; operating the controller topower the battery pack; returning the controller to the interior of theouter sleeve by passing the controller through the opening; and foldingthe access end to a closed condition, such that the opening is flattenedand situated between folds of the access end.